“Ohhh, Mother, that color makes you look truly regal,” Stasiya said.
“Does it?” Lady Cabril patted her cheeks, a small glow returning to her gray eyes. “What do you think, Ashlin?” She looked back at Ashlin, who was still holding the mirror.
Ashlin shook her head. “We absolutely cannot...” She paused.
Her stepmother’s eyes had narrowed, the glow replaced by a shadowed stare.
Ashlin shook her head again, determined to stop this madness. Mistress Cedrice nodded gently up at her.
Before she could open her mouth again, the door to the shop swung open behind her, announced by the light clinking of the small bell attached to it.
Ashlin could not see who had entered, but she could see Stasiya’s reaction.
Her sister dropped into a deep curtsy. “Your Majesties,” she said with a simper.
Ashlin spun around, clutching the large mirror to her chest. Onric and his sister, Princess Meena, stood in the doorway as a servant removed their cloaks.
Onric’s face lit up as soon as he saw Ashlin, and he opened his mouth to speak.
Ashlin shook her head only the tiniest fraction, but she hoped the ferocity in her face would convey her meaning. Why was he here now? It was not as though she could introduce the prince to her stepmother on a first-name basis.
“Why hello...” Onric had already started.
Not sure what else to do, Ashlin dropped the mirror in her hands. It shattered loudly, and the entire room froze.
Except for her stepmother, whose light gray eyes had turned nearly black. Striding forward, she slapped Ashlin across the face. “Clumsy girl. How dare you embarrass me?” Her words were calm but held a venomous undertone. “Clean that up.”
Ashlin had reeled backwards from the attack, her face stinging in disbelief. She dropped to her knees, covering her cheek to ease the pain, but also hoping to hide her embarrassment.
Onric was at her side in a heartbeat, dropping to his own knees and placing his hands on her shoulders. “Are you alright?” he asked.
She nodded for the sake of those watching, but quietly whispered through the fingers over her face, “Not here.” She hoped that no one else in the room could hear her.
“I must apologize for my maidservant, Your Highness,” said Lady Cabril as she sank low, almost inserting herself between them. “I will be sure to teach her the proper meaning of respect.”
Onric must have seen the plea in Ashlin’s eyes, for he stood up and stepped backwards. “I’m afraid I am the one who must apologize for disturbing you all. My sister and I are here for a fitting with the seamstress.”
Ashlin began to pick up the pieces of the mirror. While it had been loud, the glass had only broken into a handful of large pieces. She stacked them on top of each other, careful to avoid the sharp edges with her hand. She kept her eyes focused downward, having no desire to see the wrath in her stepmother’s eyes. But even without looking at his face, she could hear the ire and frustration masked in Onric’s voice.
“Welcome, Your Majesties,” Mistress Cedrice piped in. “Please, Princess, I’ll help you into your gown in the back room.”
Princess Meena followed Mistress Cedrice through the small door at the back of the room.
Ashlin moved slowly, not wanting to draw attention to herself.
“Mother,” Stasiya hissed.
“Ah yes.” Lady Cabril rose stiffly from her deep curtsy. “Your Highness, may I introduce to you my daughter,AshlinCabril.” She indicated Stasiya.
“Miss Cabril.” Onric gave her a tight nod of his head and then looked at Ashlin, confused.
Lady Cabril laughed a nervous laugh, but there was a grating edge to it. “That is just our maidservant, Stasiya.”
Onric’s eyebrows furrowed deeper.
Ashlin shook her head again, just the tiniest bit. She was trying to signal to the prince not to inquire further, but she realized too late that her stepmother had noticed the motion.
“Ash—Stasiya!” her stepmother said. “Package our purchases and carry them home.”
